CM’s statement not encouraging for tiger sanctuary (Herald)

October 5, 2013 TEAM HERALD PANJIM: The distinct possibility of restarting mining has diminished the love for environment that was being earlier professed by this government; but chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s recent utterances seem to be very much in line with his predecessor’s line on tigers. "One sparrow does not make a summer," Parrikar told reporters earlier this week – even as some tried to correct him, that it was ‘swallows’ - while he was trying to make a point that only one tiger had been photographed till date by the forest department. But more ominous was his succeeding statement that those who try and push environment or “wildlife” as an excuse to stop development would “make enemies.” He also wanted a study on whether tigers do exist in that sanctuary. However, the department is already conducting a survey to ascertain how many grown tigers exist within the “zone” that signifies that it is part of tiger territory. The work should restart by October. Dr K Ulhas Karanth – the department’s partner - is a conservation zoologist and leading tiger expert, based in Karnataka, and who is working closely with the forest department to document tigers, recently confirmed that the tiger that was photographed was unique to Goa and not part of any of the 600 tigers who live in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Karant team, which will work in the state’s jungles till 2017 has already confirmed the presence of a tigress and a tiger in the jungles giving credence to reports and environmentalists’ claim that Goan is part of the tigers stomping grounds despite many unbelievers and business interests who fear that if a sanctuary is declared mining business would be affected. “A tiger was spotted on the Karnataka side of the border,” principal Conservator of Forest Richard D’ Souza had told Herald, while he had confirmed that the tiger survey would restart by October. Experts also feel that the Karnataka-Goa border is likely to be part of the “zone” that tigers prowl in. There are approximately 1400 only tigers left in the entire country. Mhadei situated in Sattari taluka of North Goa and spread over 208 square kilometres is being mooted as a tiger reserve and though small, is said to be a contiguous tiger zone along with Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka in the south-east and Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve in the south. This area or zone has 35 tigers according to the All India Tiger Estimate, 2010. Even a dead tiger – killed by poachers in a trap meant for wild boars was sought to be brushed under the carpet by the department and authorities under various pretexts including that the tigers’ presence in Goa was at best “migratory” probably from forest reserves in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Activists have been alleging that authorities have been denying the presence of the tiger as this could mean setting up a tiger reserve and shutting down mines in the area. A male tiger was caught in a trap laid by poachers for wild boar in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary; he was snared in a metal noose and died a painful death as his frantic attempts to break loose resulted in the wire slowly tightening around his belly. His agonized cries brought the poachers to the spot and he was shot dead. The incident was highlighted in the media, and after a lot of denials and explanations the poachers were arrested. News reports quoting tiger expert Mike Pandey stated on national media that the "The Western Ghats in Goa serve as habitat for tigers when they multiply and are looking for new areas to settle in. I have been working in the Tillari and Dandeli region and the Western Ghats of southern Goa. I have been following the pug marks of a tiger in the region for the last 10 years and can say that the predator is indigenous and has not migrated to the region." But now the chief minister who claims to like wildlife, when asked if the government would send a proposal to the MoEF to upgrade the sanctuary to a tiger reserve after the presence of a female tiger was recorded by forest department officials earlier this year. "Until now only one tiger has been found. That is not reason enough. I have asked them to study it," Parrikar said. http://heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/CM-rsquo-s-statement-not-encouraging-for-tiger-sanctuary/80286.html